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Original poster

BTECs starting 2015 - General support thread

692 replies

TeenAndTween · 26/08/2015 16:21

Is there anyone else around whose child is starting a BTEC rather than A levels? Should we stay on this board or move to Further Education?

My DD has enrolled for Travel & Tourism.

OP posts:
Original poster
TeenAndTween · 15/12/2015 20:43

mini and eat so good to hear some success stories Smile

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eatyourveg · 15/12/2015 18:14

Hang on in there you lot. ds is in his second year and I remember writing xmas cards last year to relatives saying I wish he had stayed on at school.

Fast forward 12 months and it couldn't be more different. 5 university offers all within reach all he needs is just 1 merit and passes for the rest of his assignments. He is on course for D D D which puts him in line for a hefty scholarship and ucas points in excess of 3A*s if he had stayed to do A levels.

I never considered ds as a university type but the btec has really shown me how a different approach can bring out the very best in students who don't suit traditional ways of learning/assessment.

minifingerz · 15/12/2015 17:33

Thanks Sugar!

SugarPlumTree · 15/12/2015 17:22

Minifingerz we need the success stories so am delighted to hear how well your DD is doing Smile I remember your posting history and know how you struggled last year with her. All credit to her, she has done really well and definitely something to be celebrated.

minifingerz · 15/12/2015 16:32

Sorry everyone, didn't read back down through the thread.

Didn't mean to be Smuggy McSmugsville Blush

Anyone who knows my posting history knows that education has been a massive problem for dd over the past few years, so the positive change in her behaviour and her feelings about learning are something that I feel ecstatic about.

minifingerz · 15/12/2015 16:26

Hi all.

Dd finished college on Friday but has chosen to go into her work placement (at a special school) for the first three days of the holiday. She's catching up on some missed days from a few weeks back when she wasn't well. She didn't have to do it - she'll still have all the hours she needs by the end of the year anyway, so I'm very proud of her for doing it as she could be spending the first week of her holiday lazing around.

This term has been such a success, I couldn't have hoped it would go so well. She's been getting top marks for all her assignments, loves college and has made loads of friends on her course (level 3 Health and Social Care). What a change from her last terrible terrible year at school.

Smile

I'm so enthusiastic about BTECS now - it enrages me hearing how snotty some people are about them. It's exactly the right course for dd.

Kez100 · 15/12/2015 16:11

Not long now and you'll hopefully have a lovely break

SugarPlumTree · 14/12/2015 16:52

Well done on the wrapping Wine We have to take our triumphs where we can get them at the moment !

I've also found this term incredibly tough. We've had a lot happen with our parents on top of things not going well with the DC and I feel I've aged a lot the last few months.

Original poster
TeenAndTween · 14/12/2015 16:38

DD finishes Wed, as no timetable lessons Thur and the 2 extra things she normally does then have apparently been cancelled (I may email to check).

This term has been more stressful than summer term y11.

Anyway, I got 90% of the Christmas wrapping up done today. Smile

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SugarPlumTree · 14/12/2015 16:30

Yes agree, one day at a time at the moment! DD finishes Thursday and DS finishes Friday,I told him it was Thursday poor thing.

GasLIghtShining · 14/12/2015 13:43

You never know how things will go but the fact she is talking about a second year is a positive thing. A few weeks ago you would never have expected to hear that.

Finish on Friday here.

SugarPlumTree · 14/12/2015 07:40

I agree with you Gaslight. Wouldn't like to say at this point how things will pan out though. She did talk about the possibility of continuing and doing an AS alongside it in year 2 but very much a case of wait and see right now. Mine finish Thursday so on a countdown.

GasLIghtShining · 11/12/2015 23:49

Sugar It will be better if she can see the two years through. She will just a bit older and also have a better level of qualification. As long as she is happy.

GasLIghtShining · 11/12/2015 23:41

Best to mark as present when you were not than absent when you were there!!!

Kez100 · 11/12/2015 23:25

Often in sixth forms they sign themselves in - all manner of high jinx go on.

Kez100 · 11/12/2015 23:24

Oh gosh. I'm sorry to read all of this.

You must be so stressed by it all.

SugarPlumTree · 11/12/2015 07:32

💀 for depressed and 👺For fed up? FlowersFlowersFlowers for you, this sixth form malarkey is definitely more trying than anticipated. DD was marked at present at one lesson on a day she was at home sick.

Original poster
TeenAndTween · 10/12/2015 20:28

I think we need a depressed icon and a fed up icon for this thread. Smile

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Original poster
TeenAndTween · 10/12/2015 20:25

So today DD:

  • forgot her conversation lesson AGAIN
(reminder in phone, but phone off, written in planner, but didn't check plan for the day)
  • apparently did her enrichment but forgot to sign in
(marked as Authorised? absence)
  • had her assignment corrupted, so phoned asking me to send a backup(good). I was out but said I'd do it when I returned. I sent it during enrichment, and texted, phoned and emailed to say, but apparently when she checked after enrichment it wasn't there, but she failed to contact me to check (and of course phone was off ...)

Result: Big argument at home. Angry Sad

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SugarPlumTree · 10/12/2015 17:19

He seems to feel after looking at books and asking questions that it isn't an issue. I need to discuss that with DH over the weekend. The bloke she saw is specifically for the arty students, everyone else gets someone else. She liked him and feels she can approach him which is good . Thing is with DD she won't be told and has to get to these decisions herself. Now I've realised that I gently encourage then shut up.

Reading a bit about ADD I have to say it does sound like her to be honest. Someone she met this summer has it so she's been getting tips. I'm hoping she may yet settle on the course and see the two years through.

I'm wrong about cost as have just realised it is 4 month term and not 3, we've spent £461 so far, travel a killer. £200 for sports kit is outrageous and totally agree it should be just for new students. DD's old school did this when they changed the uniform, much fairer.

GasLIghtShining · 10/12/2015 16:57

Your DD went which is step forward. Why are they not testing for dyslexia?

Good the tutor is suggesting typing - presentation will be better.

Sounds like perseverance is starting to pay off

Oh my Sugar. £150 a month! I was feeling sorry for myself about the £200 one off for sports kit although am in the process of drafting an e-mail to HOD. DS is a second year student and my feelings are that new uniform should apply to the new students. When he started one set was required for practical which we bought. Now they are saying they have to wear it everyday. Oh and last year's uniform is obsolete

SugarPlumTree · 10/12/2015 14:51

Trip to Student support services today for DD . He looked through books bad asked questions and feels she has mild ADD and dyslexia which along with her hypermobility may have been misdiagnosed for dyspraxia as he says hard to tell when young. She is going to be formally tested for dyscalculia next term with view to extra time in maths. I would have liked formal testing for dyslexia and may well arrange that myself, am just thinking.

One of tutors has decided DD needs to type things from now on. She's more upbeat about the next assignments as well. So ending week on a fairly ok note.

SugarPlumTree · 09/12/2015 07:40

The going to bed late common topic of conversation amongst friends at the moment. I think they're all pretty knackered right now.

It just goes to show how the teacher can make or break something in some cases. DD said the male tutor is being really nice to her and thinks the other had a go at him. Just handed over further money for photographic paper, travel plus equipment roughly £150 a month at the moment.

GasLIghtShining · 09/12/2015 00:12

if she doesn't like who she is with in class or the teacher then she finds it hard to buckle down

Funny you should say that. Just received DS's report. Very good except one subject. So shocked that I checked the name at the top in case it was a rogue sheet (had that happen before). When I spoke to him all he said was 'she's a cow'! Doesn't like her and is struggling to concentrate

DS is struggling in the mornings but that's because he is going to bed too late

SugarPlumTree · 08/12/2015 07:38

I think with DD there is an element of if she doesn't like who she is with in class or the teacher then she finds it hard to buckle down. I'm sensing that she's trying hard to get over that which is good. Level 3 has definitely been a shock to her. I don't think any of this has been helped by her Grandad dying at start of September.

With DH's parents emigrating and also my Mother and Brother, suspect travel is in her genes and always on the cards ! She made a lovely group of friends scattered around Europe who she can travel with which makes me feel happy about it. TEFL is a great idea and I'm going to float that past her.

Anyone with a teen struggling in the mornings, one of those sunrise clocks is helping DD.